(Junfu Han / Detroit Free Press)
Kelly isn’t going to name a starter in the spring, but a front-runner could emerge after 15 practices.
Will it be Dante Moore, the freshman phenom? How about Collin Schlee, a veteran transfer from Kent State? Or Ethan Garbers, the top backup to Dorian Thompson-Robinson in each of the last two seasons?
Moore has a commanding lead in hype, having earned five stars and the highest 247 Sports rating of any high school quarterback UCLA has landed in the history of the recruiting website. He’s also widely considered ready to play at the college level.
Schlee is coming off one of the best seasons in Kent State history, ranking among the top 10 in yards passing (2,109), passing touchdowns (13) and completion percentage (59%).
Garbers is familiar with Kelly’s offense after having played in parts of 18 games with the Bruins, including a start against Utah in 2021. And let’s not forget about Justyn Martin, the redshirt freshman who once threw 13 touchdown passes for Inglewood High during a 106-0 victory over city rival Morningside.
Clues about who isn’t in the running could come once the next transfer portal window opens May 1.